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2 Church Street, Ossining, NY 10562 • Phone: 914-941-1111 Fax: 914-941-9132 • e-mail: galefs@assembly.state.ny.us |
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Dear Constituent: My upcoming forum in July will focus on staying healthy as we live our mature years. There are many options available to become and remain healthy adults, prevent or minimize pain and illness, and lessen our reliance on medications. It is now main stream to look toward acupuncture and chiropractic, either by themselves or as part of our regular medical program. Other approaches to aging well and treating illness deal with the foods we eat or eliminate from our diet. I hope you come to my Healthy Aging Forum to learn more about this topic and hear the wonderful panel of experts who will answer your questions. In addition to the forum, newsletter highlights include actions we took in this recent legislative session to enhance the STAR property tax relief program for those who qualify. There is information on the state EPIC pharmaceutical program, obtaining affordable insurance, and navigating HMO’s, Medicare, and the health care system. Please use this as a handy reference. Enjoy your summer. I hope to see you July 20th for coffee, breakfast, and some good talk.
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Assemblywoman Sandy Galef’s Forum:
Thursday, July 20
Speakers:
Dr. Glen Nykwest, D.C., D.A.B.C.O.
Dr. Jian He, L.Ac., M.D. (China)
Topics: Public Q & A Session *Breakfast provided by Hudson Valley Hospital Center |
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Assemblywoman Sandy Galef’s Forum: Healthy Aging and Alternative Health Care Sponsored by Hudson Valley Hospital Center Thursday, July 20 |
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Dr. Glen Nykwest — Dr. Nykwest is a Board Certified Chiropractic Orthopedist, a level of certification held by only 1% of the chiropractic profession. He sits on the New York State Chiropractic Association Board of Directors and is former President of the Westchester County region. He works with the insurance industry as a consultant on health care to facilitate appropriate patient access to chiropractic treatment. He was a Medical Director for Oxford Health Plans. In 2005 he became the first chiropractor to get hospital privileges in Westchester County. He treats asthma, allergies, headaches, muscle, back, and other pain, and conditions of internal organs with persistent symptoms. Dr. Jian He (M.D., China) — Dr. He trained in both Western and Chinese medicine methodologies at Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacology. He has served as an instructor at a teaching hospital, researcher in Japan and in practice throughout Asia and the United States. He has authored medical articles in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Journal of China Acupuncture and Moxibustion and other publications. His goal is disease prevention. He treats pain management, immune disorders, gynecological problems, infectious disease, facial palsy, radio and chemotherapy side effects, smoke cessation, and acupuncture facelift. |
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STAR Enhancements There will be a Cost of Living adjustment of 13% for Enhanced STAR to lower school property taxes for qualifying residents 65 and older. For the 2006-2007 enhanced STAR benefit the income limit is $66,050 (based on 2004 adjusted gross income). In Putnam County, the average senior homeowner will save an additional $253. In Westchester County, the average senior homeowner will save an additional $373. For more information on Enhanced STAR and Basic STAR (for all incomes), contact your local tax assessor’s office or www.orps.state.ny.us/star/index.cfm EPIC Enrollment New York State residents 65 or older with an annual income under $35,000 (single) or $50,000 (married) should be sure to sign up for the State’s Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage Program (EPIC). It can be combined with the Medicare drug plan to pay a larger share of prescription costs than is possible under either plan individually. You are not eligible if you receive full Medicaid benefits. Contact the State Health Department. 800-332-3742. www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/epic/faq.htm Health Insurance Information, Counseling, & Assistance Program (HIICAP) For questions about Medicare, prescription drug coverage or other health insurance, contact HIICAP through the New York Office for the Aging. 800-701-0501. http://hiicap.state.ny.us/ Medicare Rights Center This non-profit advocacy group has expertise on consumer’s Medicare rights and benefits. It will tell you how to appeal denials, save money, give health advice. 800-333-4114. HMO Hotline 888-HMO-9050. www.medicarerights.org Health Care and HMO Consumer Rights The Attorney General’s Health Care Bureau assists in disputes with your health plan. 800-771-7755. The Insurance Department Consumer Services Bureau deals with HMO problems. 800-342-3736. The Insurance Department’s external review hotline helps you challenge a benefit denial. 800-400-8882. Get Health Insurance Contact New York State for how to obtain affordable insurance coverage. 866-432-5849. www.healthyny.com Contact information for Family Health Plus or Child Health Plus insurance programs. 877-9FH-PLUS. www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/fhplus/index.htm General introduction to health insurance in New York. www.ins.state.ny.us/hgintro.htm Long Term Health Insurance Partnership between the public and private sectors designed to help people afford costly nursing home bills. Contact New York State Insurance Department Partnership for Long Term Care. 888-697-7582. www.nyspltc.org
Do Not Call Registry Enroll in New York’s registry to prevent unwanted telemarketing sales calls. Contact the state Consumer Protection Board. 888-382-1222. www.donotcall.gov Health Care Proxy Proxy law lets you designate health care agent to make decisions. For brochure call my office. 914-941-1111. Senior Citizen Hotline General information and referral state hotline number for seniors that directs you to the appropriate place for services. 800-342-9871. County Senior Services Seniors can learn about adult day care, rides to medical appointments, non-medical home care, financial relief from utility bills, medical benefit advice, health insurance counseling, home delivered meals, and more. In Putnam County, call 845-225-1034, ext. 100. In Westchester County, call Family Services. 914-948-8004. |
| Get Computer,Internet Savvy |
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Sixty or older? Want to learn how to use a computer? Learn about or improve internet skills? Volunteer to teach? These places offer no or low cost classes: SeniorNet
Libraries
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Online New Yorkers with a driver license, non-driver ID, or local library card, can gain free, 24-hour access to newspapers, magazines, extensive reference works and cutting-edge research on the state Library website www.novelnewyork.org. |
Sandy with Sister Patricia Murray, Retirement Coordinator of the Maryknoll Sisters in
Ossining, at a news conference in Albany calling for increased penalties for human
trafficking. Sandy is a supporter and sponsor of legislation to strengthen laws to protect
people from this type of abuse.
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Sandy spoke at the AARP Chapter #4709 in Philipstown and is shown (from left) with
Donna Anderson, Chapter President, Elizabeth Nytko, Vice President, and Karen Mahon,
Director of RSVP-Putnam Valley.
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Sandy spoke at the AARP Chapter #1183 of Putnam County and is shown with Chapter
President John Zaborney.
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